Press Releases

U.S. Marine Band to Perform at SU Saturday, October 1

SALISBURY, MD---Established by an act of Congress in 1798 and dubbed “The President’s Own” by Thomas Jefferson, the U.S. Marine Band is the nation’s oldest professional music organization.

The renowned group performs at Salisbury University 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 1, in Maggs Physical Activities Center. Tickets are no longer available for the concert, which inaugurates the band’s fall season.

Ticket holders must be seated by 7:15 p.m. Any open seats after that time will become available for non-ticket holders on a first-come, first-served basis. No large bags or backpacks will be allowed at the venue.

As the only musical organization charged to perform for the president, the U.S. Marine Band has a rich history. The band debuted at the White House on New Year’s Day 1801 in a performance for President John Adams. That March, it played during the inaugural of President Jefferson and has performed at every presidential inaugural since.

John Philip Sousa was perhaps the organization’s most famous member. As its 17th director, from 1880-92, he shaped the band into a world-famous musical organization. During his tenure, the group became one of the first musical ensembles to make sound recordings. National concert tours began in 1891, and Sousa started writing the marches that earned him the title “The March King.”

Three of his compositions will be played at the SU concert: “Powhatan’s Daughter,” “Semper Fidelis” and, perhaps most famous, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Other selections include Carl Maria von Weber’s “Jobel Overture, J. 245,” Pablo de Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen, Opus 20,” and two Mexican dance tunes, “Sensemayá” by Silvestre Revueltas and “Danzón No. 2” by Arturo Márquez.

The band also performs “Prelude and Scherzo, Opus 52” from Gustav Holst’s Hammersmith. Rounding out the program are two patriotic medleys: Sentimental Journey: A World War II Hit Parade, arranged by SSgt. Ryan Nowlin, and A Salute to the Armed Forces of the United State of America, arranged by Thomas Knox.

For more information call 410-543-6271 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.